Bookings Closed: Please note that bookings for this Camp have been closed. Please get in touch with us to be contacted in the event of a place opening up due to cancellation.

CAMP HIGHLIGHTS

Enjoy a refreshing holiday in the pristine backyard of a jungle close to the city

Develop a basic understanding of ecosystems amidst nature

Learn exciting new skills and earn fascinating knowledge under the tutelage of a Toehold Skipper

Participate in an interactive, inclusive event that will expose them to new experiences

Blossom into a responsible, green citizen and vibrant young naturalist!

Your kid's school teaches a lot of skills. But is enjoying Nature one of them?

Not likely. Does it involve you in your child's learning and development? Hardly.

There are some things that cannot be taught in the limiting confines of a classroom. They need emancipation, and a venture into the outdoors for the learner to feel, experience and glean lessons first-hand.

And through the 'Parental Pleasure' Young Naturalist Camp, that is exactly what your child can do - all under your vigilant supervision and loving care.

CAMP SYNOPSIS

This special two-day Camp has been designed to impart natural history education to young minds in a fun and effective way, while involving parents. So your child can feel at home even as they open up to the wild - and blossom into fine young naturalists.

Virtually in the backyard of bustling Bangalore, the Bannerghatta National Park is a unique one, in that it is one of the world's closest wildernesses to a metropolis and is home to wild elephants. The park also hosts leopards, wild dogs and sloth bears apart from the commoner mammals, and boasts of over 170 species of birds including the rare rufous-bellied eagle and yellow-throated bulbul.

And designed to let budding young naturalists explore these riches, this Camp is a journey of discovery into parts of this park that are seldom seen by tourists.

Staying at our new property by the edge of a gleaming lake that seems straight out of a fairy tale, the group of budding naturalists will, in this idyllic setting, learn fishing, play nature games, and enjoy singing around a bonfire to have a whole lot of fun in unsullied environs - while their mothers trade parental pressures for the simple pleasures of a natural life.

Join in on your child's journey of discovery as they explore the wonders of nature, tide over the hills, snake through the valleys or simply reflect quietly by the lakes on each day, while our expert Skipper, who is the biggest hit with kids since Robin Williams apart from being an ace naturalist, keeps the children entertained to ensure that they develop a whole new perspective of learning - and of the world itself.

PHOTOGRAPHY SKIPPER

Phillip Ross

Phillip Ross is without doubt the 'little master' of wildlife photography. Still young and already boasting an astounding portfolio, Phillip exudes the same precocity and talent as the big cats he is famously known to share a special relationship with. When out in the wild, Lady Luck is his faithful friend, and back in the civilized world, captivating stories of his experiences are a staple source of fascination for those who enjoy the pleasure of his acquaintance.

An avid angler, great raconteur and naturalist par excellence, Phillip uses his passion for wildlife to spread the joy of nature through his infectious ways to adults and children alike. Having explored wilderness areas throughout India as a photographer and naturalist, Phillip has won many laurels, including a Wildlife Conservation Award in 2009 for his report on saving the Bannerghatta National Park. And courtesy of his skill, imagination and technical mastery, his work has been used in various magazines, newspapers, journals and calendars for embellishment and education through his incisive lens.

TESTIMONIALS BY PREVIOUS CAMP PARTICIPANTS

Kids who were a part of a similar Camp previously said:

Well, this camp has been really educating coz I got answers for all the questions I had. I also LOVED the food. It was delicious. And the hikes were worth the time coz the fantastic scenery you see at the top of the hill made me SPEECHLESS. To end it off...I LOVED IT.
- Nidhi Prakash, Bangalore

No words can describe the pure beauty of nature. This is truly a time you appreciate what you have and you feel good about yourself. I got to do things I never thought I could. I even got new experiences, e.g. fishing. The food never failed. All campers were really nice and we all had fun. Phillip, you're awesome! It's amazing what you do and share with us all. I'm coming back next time for sure!.
- Chanchal Agarwal, Bangalore

The place is so close to nature and is always full of life. The activities were really fun. There was a lot of excitement in the group when we went trekking. It was awesome!
- Calvin Stanley, Bangalore

This was an amazing camp! Everything was put together really well...the food was wow! Right from fishing to Ninja Attack, everything was just so much fun! I don't know how those two days went by so quickly, but I miss them already! The campfire and the trek up the hill were the best...I loved it!
- Namrata Joshi, Mumbai

This place is awesome. Also the surroundings are like heaven on earth. The food was great and the activities were unbelievable!
- Vrushab Kumar, Bangalore

Please click on any thumbnail and use the left and right arrow keys to navigate between photos in the gallery.

DAY 1 14 January 2017, Saturday: Arrival and Initial Foray

We meet at 10 a.m. at the Bannerghatta campsite amidst hills, forests, a lake and clean air!

On arriving at the campsite we get to know each other through an introduction and a fun ice-breaking game.

Then it's time to show you around the property, which is set amidst a beautiful hill range with a quaint lake in the middle, which, like an oasis, makes for a perfect gateway in the wonderful wilderness.

Angling at the lake is heaps of fun, with an almost assured catch. Our participants will learn to assemble and set up their own fishing rods, so that the next day's fishing session is not delayed.

Soon, lunchtime arrives and our chef reveals the delicacies he has prepared. After properly pampering our taste buds, we pull our cameras out and a session on nature photography will ensue. The group will also be taught how to approach and photograph wildlife in order to get those fantastic images they admire in magazines and books. This will be followed by another group game.

Then, after enjoying some refreshments, we depart on an exciting bird-watching and animal tracking session. We will trek to a hill from where we are treated to a panoramic view of the forests of Bannerghatta, and snap some great landscape photographs. Meanwhile, one never knows what wildlife might be seen in the valleys below. It's a great place to spend the evening and practise what the children have learnt from the photography session. On the way down, we will set up a camera trap, and hope that some of Bannerghatta's nocturnal wanderers choose to walk by when we're cosily tucked in for the night.

Once back at the campsite, we enjoy an entertainment session over a bonfire, and hit the sack soon after a delicious dinner.

DAY 2 15 January, Sunday: More Learning and Fun, and Return

We awake to the songs of birds and open our eyes to an amazing view of the lake and the hills. It's time to grab the rods and the bait, and hit the road to the lake, where the group will be taught angling, specifically how to cast, set the hook and carefully retrieve the catch without hurting the fish. All the fish caught will be released back into the lake.

After a couple of hours of an intense angling experience we give in to the enticing smells from the kitchen.

After a good breakfast, we eagerly leave on a birdwatching hike. What will probably be playing big on everyone's mind is what may have crossed the camera trap. So we first retrieve the trap and see what pictures have been taken through the night, before continuing on our bird watching trail. This is a great opportunity for us to learn how to identify and study the diverse birdlife and how to approach the birds we see, without disturbing them.

Finally, since all good things come to an end, we bid farewell to beautiful Bannerghatta reminiscing about all the highlights of the camp!

IndividualsINR 9,800/-Inclusive of taxes

Per kid and mother on twin-sharing accommodation

Buddy OfferINR 18,600/-Inclusive of taxes

For two kids and two mothers on twin-sharing accommodation

Additional ChildINR 4,500/-Inclusive of taxes

Per child on twin-sharing accommodation

Inclusions

Shared accommodation in comfortable rooms or tents

All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and hot beverages (coffee and tea)

Bottled water

All activities

Camera fees

All applicable taxes

Exclusions

Travel between your home and Bannerghatta

Any kind of personal expenses or optional tours, extra meals and beverages ordered

Insurance, laundry and phone calls

Soft drinks

Anything that is not included in the inclusions list

Payment Terms

100% Camp fee in advance for confirmation

Cancellation Fees

25% on or before 21 December 2016

50% between 22 and 28 December 2016

75% between 29 December 2016 and 4 January 2017

100% on or after 5 January 2017

Please note: The date of written (email) communciation of intent to cancel is the date considered for calculation of the cancellation fees.

Terms and Conditions

Participants who have a medical history of blood pressure, heart-related problems or asthma are advised to seek medical advice before enrolling for this Tour.

Fitness to complete the Tour is the only criterion for participation.

Toehold Travel & Photography Pvt Ltd. shall not be responsible for injuries, damages, or losses caused to any traveller in connection with terrorist activities, social or labour unrest, mechanical or construction failures or difficulties, diseases, local laws, climatic conditions, abnormal conditions or developments, or any other actions, omissions, or conditions outside the travel partner's control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Anybody between 6 and 14 years of age, along with their mother or lady guardian who is an adult, is welcome to join the Camp. There are no other eligibility criteria.

Can I send my child without the mother or a guardian?

No. The mother or a lady adult-guardian is required to accompany all children in this Camp.

I am a father or male guardian. Can I accompany my child?

Unfortunately, due to logistical limitations, we can accommodate only mothers or lady guardians on this special Camp.

Can I bring more than one child? If yes, how much will it cost?

Yes; you can bring more than one child to the Camp. Please click on the 'COST AND TERMS' tab for details.

Can both parents or more than one guardian accompany my child?

No; we can accommodate only the mother or one lady adult-guardian with each child.

My child is outside the recommended age group. Can he/she attend?

The age group has been defined considering the nature of the activities planned for the Camp. However, if your child is marginally outside the recommended age group, please talk to us to find out if he/she can be accommodated.

What kind of accommodation can I expect?

Accommodation will be in comfortable rooms or tents on a shared basis.

How many participants can be expected on this Camp?

Since we aim to make the experience intimate and personal, your child can expect a maximum of six other kids for company, accompanied by their mothers.

What about my child's safety during the event?

Your child's safety is of paramount importance to us. The Skipper leading this Camp has been trained by Toehold on child protection; child behaviour and development; health and safety; activity programme delivery; and Toehold's code of conduct, policies and procedures. The Skipper will be with the children during all activities and the camp will have at least one staff member qualified in administering First Aid, at all times.